Electric lamp socket



Nov. 23, 1954 Filed Oct. 10 1951 A. TISCIONE ELECTRIC LAMP SOCKET 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ANTHONY TISCIONE Nov. 23, 1954 A. TISCIONE 2,695,393

ELECTRIC LAMP SOCKET Filed Oct. 10, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ANTHONY TISCIONE :4 TIM/V57 ELECTRIC LAMP SOCKET Anthony Tiscione, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application October 10, 1951, Serial No. 250,607 3 Claims. (Cl. 339-180) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in an electric lamp socket.

More specifically, the present invention proposes the construction of an electric lamp socket having a shell formed entirely of dielectric material and which further has an internally threaded recess extended in from one end thereof and within which conductor members are United States Patent exposed to make electrical contact with the shell and end contacts of a conventional electric lamp screwed into the recess.

Still further, the present invention proposes casting the shell of the socket as one-piece and to extend the bared ends of electric wires into the threaded recess in a novel arrangement so that the mere act of screwing the lamp base into the recess will complete the electrical contact of the shell and end contacts of the lamp with the conductors.

As a further object, the present invention proposes anchoring a small disc of dielectric material in position at the bottom of the recess in a manner to retain the conductors fixedly in position to make the desired electrical contact with the shell and end contacts of the lamp.

Another object of the present invention proposes constructing the shell of two parts separated on a line extended across the passageways through which the conductors enter the shell to permit pre-shaping of the conductors to be laid in position within one of the shell halves together with the retaining disc after which the other shell half is mounted in position to complete the assembly of the lamp socket.

The present invention further proposes constructing the conductors of suitable conductive material with sockets opening outward within the passageways in a manner to removably receive the ends of electric wires connected to a source of electric current.

As a still further object, the present invention proposes a novel means for anchoring the ends of the electric wires in position within the socket openings of the conductors in such a manner that the insulation covering need not be removed from the ends of the wires prior to insertion into the socket openings and still permit electrical contact between the conductors and the electric wires to be completed.

It is a further object of the present invention to construct lamp sockets of the type disclosed which are simple and durable, which are efiective for their intended purposes and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

On the accompanying drawings forming a material part of the present invention:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the lamp socket constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transversesectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. r

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

- Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the retaining disc used inthe form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the lamp socket con- 2,695,393 Patented Nov. 23, 1954 structed in accordance with a modification of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is an inside elevational view of one of the casing halveis used in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 7 an 8.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 7, but illustrating another modification of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of one of the conductors used in the form of the invention shown in Figs; 10 to 12.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the other of the conductorizused in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 10 to Fig. 15 is a perspective view of one of the anchor screws usedzin the form of the invention shown in Figs. 10 to 1 The lamp socket, according to the first form of the present invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6, includes a shell 20 having a recess 21 extended in from its one end and having its other or closed end rounded. In this first form of the invention, the shell 20 is molded as one-piece of a suitable dielectric material. It is preferred to mold the shell 20 of one of the synthetic resinous materials because of their ability to withstand breakage; however, if desired, the casing could be molded of hard rubber or other similar dielectric materials. The recess 21 between the open end of the shell 20 and the wall 22 which closes the other end of the shell, is formed with threads 23 to receive the threaded base of a conventional electric lamp, not shown, having the usual shell and end contacts. Between the open end of the shell 20 and the adjacent ends of the threads 23, the shell has an outwardly flared wall 24, see particularly Figs. 3 and 4, for guiding the threadled base of the lamp into position within the recess 2 The inner ends of the threads 23 are spaced from the adjacent face of the wall 22 providing clearance for a retaining disc 25 cast of the same dielectric material as that used for the shell 20. The retaining disc 25 has a snug fit within the recess 21 at the inner ends of the threads 23 and has a cavity 26 in its face which is directed toward the open end of the recess 21, to receive the end contact of the lamp which is screwed into the recess. Concentrically within the cavity 26, the retaining disc 25 is formed with an elongated slot 27.

The rounded closed end of the shell 20 is formed with a transversely extended integral rib 28. The rib 28 is formed with spaced pasageways 29 extended parallel to the axis of the recess 21 and which open at their inner ends into the recess 21. The passageways 29 are ofiset with relation to the side walls of the recess 21 to provide abutment shoulders 30 at the junction of the passageways 29 with the recess 21.

Conductors 31 and 32 are extended ways 29 into the recess 21 and exposed beyond the face of the retaining disc 25 which faces the open end of the shell 20 to make electrical contact with the shell and end contacts of the lamp received within the shell 20. In this first form of the invention, each of the conductors 31 and 32 is the bared end of a conventional electric wire 33 having the usual outer insulation casing 34 and inner stranded flexible conductor wire core 35. In shaping the conductors 31 and 32, sufiicient of the outer casings 34 of the wires 33 is removed from the ends thereof to bare the ends of the stranded wire cores 35. Those bared ends of the stranded wire cores 35 are then soldered or otherwise secured together to form an integral unit of the strands. Following soldering the ends of the wires 33 are inserted into the passageways 29 until the adjacent ends of the respective outer casings 34 abut the" shoulders 30, as best shown in Fig. 3. I

It is apparent, of course, that the retaining disc 25 is not yet in posltion within the recess 21. Using suitable tools, such as long nosed pliers and the like,- theend of from the passagethe one wire 33 is bent to provide the conductor 31 which. is accomplished by bending the intermediate portion of that one wire to extend a'rcu'ately about one-fourth of therecess, see Fig. Syand then bending the free end thereof upward to be located within a groove 36, see Figs. 3 and 5, molded in the inher face of the recess 21 to interru t niethreads 23-. i

Using the same tools, the end of the other wire 33 is bent and shaped to'p'rovide the other contact 32. That is accomplished by bending the free end of that other wire 33% extend along the inner face of the wall 22 to the center of the 'recessfll'. At the center of the recess 21, the intermediate portion of the bared end of the other wire 33 is bent into an inverted U shape toexte'nd upward through the slot 27in the reta-i 'ng disc 25; The free end portion of that other was 33'is then bent to extend at right angl cgs along the inner face of the wall 22, see Figs- 2 an a e To retain the conductors 31 and 32 fixedly in position \Vlthil 'fl'i recess 1, the retaining disc 25 is slipped into position from th open and of the shell 29. The retaming disc 25passes along the "inrrer face of the conductor 3i"wliere it'is exposed'within the groove 36 and receives within its slot 27, the u-shaped portion of the conductor 32 The r iriin'gdisZiSis sealed'in position within the re'ces's21 rising a non-conductive mucilage or bonding agent 37 having an afiinity for the material of which the shell 2i}. and the disc 25 are molded. The wires'ss between the adjacent faces of the wall 22 and the retaining disc 25' will hold the retaining disc 25 out of con't'aenwith the adjacent face of that 'wall 22. The mucilage o'r'bon'dihg agent 37 fills alllof the voids about the wires 33 and fixedly retains the disc 25 in position. It will be appreciated, of course, that the ends of the conductors 31 and 32 exposed within the groove 36 and w thinthe avitr of he is w l m Contact with the shell and end con tacts of the lamp screwed into position within the recess 21,

The ends of the Wires 33 remote from the conductors 31 and -32 can be projected any desiredlength from the outer ends of. the passageways 29 to be bared attheir free ends andconnected directly to a source of electric current for supplying the required current to illuminate the lamp screwed into the recess.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the present invention proposes a "novel lamp socket in which the bare'dcn'ds of wires are exposed within the socket to make contact with the shell and end contacts of a lamp screwed "into'the' shell so that the mere act of connecting the other e'r'rds er the wires to a source of electric current will place the socket in use without having to disassemble and reassemble the socket to connect the conductors thereto. The socket is formed, except for the conductors, completely from dielectric material to eliminate the danger of electricshoek when handling the lamp socket. While it islh: primary purpose of thepiesent invention to construct the socket to accept the screw base of conventional lamps commonly used for lighting purposes, it is appreciated that the socket could be formed to accept the smaller bases of Christmas tree bulbs or various other types of lamps in-cominon use.

in the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 7 to 9, the shell is constructed of two opposed halves 29 and 2%. The halves 2i and 20 are separated on a line which extends diametrically through the passageways 29 of the rib 28 forrnedat the base of the lamp socket. Each of the halves 26 and 26 is alike in formation except that the halt 29 does not have the groove 36, see Fig. 9, for the conductor 31.

When the halves 243 and 20 of the shell 20 are separated, the b'ared ends of the wi'res 33 which are preshaped to provide the cohductors 31 and 32 can be properly laid in position within the half 20 together with 'the retaining disc 25. The proper quantity of the mucilage or bonding agent 37 is then added and the other half 20 slipped into position. Meeting edges of the halves 2t? and 20 of the shell 29' are joined together using a bonding agent for the material of which the halves are formed.

In all other respects, the form of the invention shown in Figs. 7 to 9 is similar to that described inconnectio'n with Figs. 1 to 6 and like reference numerals are used to identify like parts.

Referring now to the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 10 to 15, the construction of the lamp socket is similar to that described in connection with Figs. 7 to 9 except for the formation of the conductors 31' and 32'. Each of the conductors 31' and 32' is molded of a conductive metal with the conductor 31 having an end portion 31 exposed within the groove 36. The conductor 32 has an upstanding peg portion 32 extended through a complementary circular hole 27 formed in the retaining disc 25.

Each of the conductors 31 and 32 has a socket portion 40 extended into one of the passageways 29. The socket portions 40 having their open ends facing the open ends of the passageways but stopped somewhat short of the open ends of the passageways to eliminate the possibilityof a short circuit. The wires 33' have their ends inserted into the socket portions 40 from the outer ends of the passageways 29 without removing the insulation from the ends of the wires 33', see particularly Fig. 11.

Means is provided for anchoring the ends of the wires 33' in position within the socket portions 49 while at the same time completing'theelectric Contact between the conductors 31 and 32' and the stranded wire 'c'ore's 35 of the electric wires'33-. To permit this, the sides of the socket portions 40 which are faced outward-, 'a'r'e formed with threaded holes 41 in axial alig" inent with threaded holes 42 extended laterally through the ends or the rib 28. Anchor screws 43 are threadedinto the aligned holes 41 and 42 and have at their inner ends conical portions 44, which are sharply pointed as shown in Fig. 15. When the anchor screws 43 are tightened into position, the conical portions 44 of the screws pierce the outer casings 34 of the wires 33' and engage the cores 35 of the wires 33 completing the circuit from those cores to the socket portions and then through the conductors 31' and'32' to the shell'an'd endcontac't's of the lamp screwed into the shell 20.

As shown, the shell 26 is formed of separate halves to facilitate mounting and positioning of the conductors 31 and 32'. However, the shell could be made of one piece, as shown in 'c'onnectionw ith the first foim of the invention, withthe 'condu'ctors' 31 and 32 being mounted in position prior to the positioning of the'ret'ainingfdisc 25.

in all other respects,the form of the invention shown in Figs. 10 to 15 is similar to that described in connection with Figs. 7 to '9 and like reference numerals are used to identify like pans;

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it is to be understood that i do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and theright is reserved toall chan'ges and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as set forth in thefappended, claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patcut is: i

l. A lamp socket comprising a shell having a recess opening to one end thereof, said recess b'einginternally threaded adjacent its open end't'o receive the threaded base of an electric lamp having shell'and 'end' contacts; said shell having, a groove "formed therein intersecting the threads of said recess, a retaining disc positioned,

within sai recess at the inner end of said threads, said shell having spaced passageways extended in from, its end opposite its open end and opening into saidrecess, and conductors extended from said passagewaysinto said recess and exposed beyond theface of said disc facing the open end of said shell to make electrical contact with the shell and end contacts of thelamp received within said recess, said conductors having socket portions extendedi'nto said passageways to recervethe ends or insulation covered wires insertedthrough saidpassageways and into said socket portions, one. of. said conductors having an upright end portion exposed withinsaidgroove a horizontal arcuate portion integral with said upright.

end portion and said socket portion.

2. A lamp socket comprising a shell having a recess I opening to one end thereof, said recess being internally threaded adjacent its open end to receive the threaded base of an electric lamp having shell and *endco'nta'ots, said shell haviii'g a groove refined thereiii intersecting the threads of said recess, aretaining disc positioned within said recess at the inner end or said threads, smasher having spaced passageways extended in from its endoppo'site its open amend-open conductors extended froin'ps I recess and exposed beyond metres at said di'sc facihg mg tarp" said "reces tie rd passageways into "83 the open end of said shell to make electrical contact with the shell and end contacts of the lamp received within said recess, said conductors having socket portions extended into said passageways to receive the ends of insulation covered wires inserted through said passageways and into said socket portions, one of said conductors having an upright end portion exposed within said groove a horizontal arcuate portion integral with said upright end portion and said socket portion, the other of said conductors having a peg portion extended through a concentric hole in said retaining disc and exposed within a cavity in the outer face of said disc and a horizontal portion integral with the socket portion and the peg portion thereof.

3. A lamp socket comprising a shell having a recess opening to one end thereof, said recess being internally threaded adjacent its open end to receive the threaded base of an electric lamp having shell and end contacts, said shell having a groove formed therein intersecting the threads of said recess, a retaining disc positioned within said recess at the inner end of said threads, said shell having spaced passageways extended in from its end opposite its open end and opening into said recess, and conductors extended from said passageways into said recess and exposed beyond the face of said disc facing the open end of said shell to make electrical contact with the shell and end contacts of the lamp received within said recess, said conductors having socket portions extended into said passageways to receive the ends of insulation covered wires inserted through said passageways and into said socket portions, one of said conductors having an upright end portion exposed within said groove a horizontal arcuate portion integral with said upright end portion and said socket portion, the other of said conductors having a peg portion extended through a concentric hole in said retaining disc and exposed within a cavity in the outer face of said disc and a horizontal portion integral With the socket portion and the peg p0rtion thereof, said shell being formed of two parts separated on a line extended through said passageways permitting insertion of said conductors before final assembly of said shell.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 484,207 Klein Oct. 11, 1892 575,322 Benjamin Ian. 19, 1897 1,372,065 Conklin Mar. 22, 1921 1,789,582 Eckstein Jan. 20, 1931 2,181,575 Chirelstein Nov. 28, 1939 2,229,403 Benander Jan. 21, 1941 2,419,683 Henschke Apr. 29, 1947 2,466,566 Tiscione Apr. 5, 1949 2,524,280 Villeple Oct. 3, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 741,931 France Feb. 23, 1933 

